Cowling'S historic Black Bull pub will open next month as a furniture shop, its new owner has revealed.

Mystery has surrounded the future of the historic Colne Road pub since it was bought by businessman Les Ingham, of Ingham's Furniture, last year.

Mr Ingham is moving from Otley Street, Skipton, to the new site. He also has a shop in Keighley.

Mr Ingham, who is originally from Cowling and lives in Lothersdale, said he was hoping to open the family-run business next month.

"We have got to move from Skipton because of regeneration and saw the opportunity to move to Cowling when the pub was put up for sale," he said.

"We are working on it at the moment. The pub is quite run down and the rooms will be used mainly as they are to showcase furniture."

Mr Ingham confirmed that the store would be named "Dovetail", as was a shop his family once ran in Cross Hills.

The change of use means villagers now only have one pub and concerned residents are set to circulate a petition against the closure of the Black Bull.

Chairman of Cowling Parish Council, Coun John Alderson, told the Herald: "My thoughts are still the same - it's a shame we're losing the pub to something else. If the right person ran the pub, it could be a goldmine."

One group which may be affected by the change-over is Cowling Pigeon Club, which has met at the pub for the past 25 years.

Member Harry Hope said he was unsure whether the hut that members have been using on the site would still be available to them.

He added: "I think it's a crying shame we're down to one pub in the village."